Abstract: A fixing element (470) that enables an electronic unit (440) to be fixed on the inside of a tire-wheel assembly, on the tubular insert (433) of an inflation valve (430) of the tire-wheel assembly, the fixing element comprising: an interface piece (471) comprising means to establish a connection with the tubular insert of the valve and a housing (488) for a seal (460); at least one container (473) holding or designed to hold the electronic unit; and at least one attachment piece (472) that enables elastic coupling between the interface piece and the container. A method for mounting an electronic unit (440) on a tire-wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-contained device intended to be carried by a wheel-tire assembly in order to locate whether the assembly is positioned on the right side or on the left side of a vehicle is described. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity, the sensors providing two periodic signals that are phase shifted relative to one another. Each signal is representative of variations in the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the sensor during a revolution of the wheel-tire assembly. The device also includes a processing unit programmed to determine, from the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction in which the wheel-tire assembly is rotating and to deduce, from this direction of rotation and from a direction of travel of the vehicle, whether the wheel-tire assembly is located on the right side or on the left side. The two magnetic sensors are intended to be positioned on the wheel-tire assembly at distinct azimuthal locations.

Abstract: A method of identifying a position of a wheel of a vehicle includes: providing, in at least one wheel of the vehicle, a device with at least one magnetic sensor with a maximum sensitivity axis; starting up the vehicle; measuring at terminals of each magnetic sensor a signal representative of magnetic flux time variations during rotation of the wheel; determining a characteristic quantity of the signal; comparing the characteristic quantity to a given threshold; and determining, according to a comparison result, a front or rear location of the wheel.

Abstract: A location device is provided, in which the device is configured to be carried by a tire and wheel assembly so as to locate a right or left position of the assembly in a vehicle. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity; a measurement circuit for measuring a signal across terminals of each of the magnetic sensors, the measurement circuit being able to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted with respect to one another and each periodic signal being representative of variations in values of a magnetic field detected by a corresponding magnetic sensor during a revolution of the tire and wheel assembly; and a calculation processor programmed to determine, based on the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction of rotation of the tire and wheel assembly, and to deduce from the direction of rotation and a direction of travel of the vehicle, a right or left location of the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A method of identifying a position of a wheel of a vehicle includes: providing, in at least one wheel of the vehicle, a device with at least one magnetic sensor with a maximum sensitivity axis; starting up the vehicle; measuring at terminals of each magnetic sensor a signal representative of magnetic flux time variations during rotation of the wheel; determining a characteristic quantity of the signal; comparing the characteristic quantity to a given threshold; and determining, according to a comparison result, a front or rear location of the wheel.

Abstract: A self-contained device intended to be carried by a wheel-tire assembly in order to locate whether the assembly is positioned on the right side or on the left side of a vehicle is described. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity, the sensors providing two periodic signals that are phase shifted relative to one another. Each signal is representative of variations in the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the sensor during a revolution of the wheel-tire assembly. The device also includes a processing unit programmed to determine, from the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction in which the wheel-tire assembly is rotating and to deduce, from this direction of rotation and from a direction of travel of the vehicle, whether the wheel-tire assembly is located on the right side or on the left side. The two magnetic sensors are intended to be positioned on the wheel-tire assembly at distinct azimuthal locations.

Abstract: A fixing element (470) that enables an electronic unit (440) to be fixed on the inside of a tire-wheel assembly, on the tubular insert (433) of an inflation valve (430) of the tire-wheel assembly, the fixing element comprising: an interface piece (471) comprising means to establish a connection with the tubular insert of the valve and a housing (488) for a seal (460); at least one container (473) holding or designed to hold the electronic unit; and at least one attachment piece(472) that enables elastic coupling between the interface piece and the container. A method for mounting an electronic unit (440) on a tire-wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A location device is provided, in which the device is configured to be carried by a tire and wheel assembly so as to locate a right or left position of the assembly in a vehicle. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity; a measurement circuit for measuring a signal across terminals of each of the magnetic sensors, the measurement circuit being able to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted with respect to one another and each periodic signal being representative of variations in values of a magnetic field detected by a corresponding magnetic sensor during a revolution of the tire and wheel assembly; and a calculation processor programmed to determine, based on the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction of rotation of the tire and wheel assembly, and to deduce from the direction of rotation and a direction of travel of the vehicle, a right or left location of the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A method of securing a tire-based unit (24) of a tire condition sensing system (12) to a rim (60) and an associated apparatus (62) are provided. The method comprising the steps of: positioning a mounting bracket (124) on the rim (60); positioning a self-pierce rivet (140, 200) against the mounting bracket (124), so that a portion of the mounting bracket (124) is interposed between the self-pierce rivet (140, 200) and the rim (60); pressing the self-pierce rivet (140, 200) against the mounting bracket (124) and toward the female mold portion of the press, so as to pierce a portion of the mounting bracket and to deep draw a portion of the rim into the female mold portion to secure the mounting bracket relative to the rim; removing the rim and secured mounting bracket from the press; and attaching the tire-based unit (24) to the mounting bracket (124).

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle wheel arch (18) of the type including an antenna (20) for interacting with a device (22) carried by an assembly (12) of a wheel (14) and a tire (16). The wheel arch includes a shield (24) overlying the antenna (20) beside the radially-inner face of the wheel arch (18), said shield (24) being suitable for retaining matter (26) at a certain distance from the antenna (20).

Abstract: A method of securing a tire-based unit (24) of a tire condition sensing system (12) to a rim (60) and an associated apparatus (62) are provided. The method comprising the steps of: positioning a mounting bracket (124) on the rim (60); positioning a self-pierce rivet (140, 200) against the mounting bracket (124), so that a portion of the mounting bracket (124) is interposed between the self-pierce rivet (140, 200) and the rim (60); pressing the self-pierce rivet (140, 200) against the mounting bracket (124) and toward the female mold portion of the press, so as to pierce a portion of the mounting bracket and to deep draw a portion of the rim into the female mold portion to secure the mounting bracket relative to the rim; removing the rim and secured mounting bracket from the press; and attaching the tire-based unit (24) to the mounting bracket (124).

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining a longitudinal force (Fx) exerted on a wheel of a motor vehicle by a ground surface supporting the wheel, the vehicle including connections means which connect the wheel to a body of the vehicle. An actual force (FAX) is measured at the level of at least one measurement point in the connection means. A force (FDx, Fx) is calculated which results from a transmission via the connection means from the at least one measurement point to the wheel, of a body-associated force (FADX, FAX), which depends at least on the actual force. The longitudinal force (Fx) exerted on the wheel by the ground surface is calculated as a function at least of the force (FDx; Fx) resulting from the transmission of the body-associated force.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle wheel arch (18) of the type including an antenna (20) for interacting with a device (22) carried by an assembly (12) of a wheel (14) and a tire (16) . The wheel arch includes a shield (24) overlying the antenna (20) beside the radially-inner face of the wheel arch (18), said shield (24) being suitable for retaining matter (26) at a certain distance from the antenna (20).

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining a longitudinal force (Fx) exerted on a wheel of a motor vehicle by a ground surface supporting the wheel, the vehicle including connections means which connect the wheel to a body of the vehicle. An actual force (FAX) is measured at the level of at least one measurement point in the connection means. A force (FDx, Fx) is calculated which results from a transmission via the connection means from the at least one measurement point to the wheel, of a body-associated force (FADX, FAX), which depends at least on the actual force. The longitudinal force (Fx) exerted on the wheel by the ground surface is calculated as a function at least of the force (FDx; Fx) resulting from the transmission of the body-associated force.